The Eucharist is a Christian rite that Christians perform to remember Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection. It is considered a sacrament in most churches. The Bible implies that Jesus told us to celebrate this rite, but what we want to understand is, what does Jesus help us to do in the Eucharist?
Jesus helps us in the Eucharist by uniting us to Him. According to John 6:56, the Bible implies that Jesus said that whoever eats His flesh and drinks His blood remains in Him and He in that person. Therefore, Jesus gives himself to us symbolically through the Eucharist as a symbol of his love for humanity.
What is the purpose of the Eucharist? What happens during the Eucharist? Is Jesus really present in the Eucharist? How is Jesus present in the Eucharist? What does it mean to “host” Jesus in the Eucharist? Keep reading to find the answers to these questions and more.
What is the purpose of the Eucharist?
The purpose of the Eucharist is to remember the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Luke 22:19 says, “And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” The Bible implies that Jesus instructed us to take the Eucharist so that we can remember him and how he sacrificed his life for our salvation.
Jesus taught his believers what they needed to do to receive the Kingdom of God. He then died on the cross so that we could all be forgiven and redeemed. Therefore, Jesus wants us to remember everything He taught and practice doing those things so we can lead a righteous life. He wants us to remember that he died on the cross for us.
Another purpose of the Eucharist is to rejoice in the resurrection of Jesus Christ because it shows that he conquered death. After Jesus rose from the dead, his disciples recognized Him as he broke bread and shared with them during the last supper. Each time we celebrate in the Eucharist, we remember that Jesus was resurrected and ascended to heaven to prepare us for the Kingdom of God. We rejoice because of his offering on the cross for our sins and resurrecting and look forward to enjoying eternal life in the Kingdom of God.
What happens during the Eucharist?
During the Eucharist, Christians unite in the church. Like Jesus gathered his disciples and sat them down to celebrate the last supper, Christians also gathered together to celebrate the Holy Communion.
Christians then listen to a reading from one of the Gospels. The Priest mostly reads and preaches about the events of the last supper, when Jesus broke the bread and shared it with his disciples. The Priest reminds Christians that Jesus performed the Eucharist first and asked them to celebrate in remembrance of Him.
After the reading, Christians pray to God for the forgiveness of sins so that they can be Holy while taking the Holy Communion. Matthew 26:28 reads, “For this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” The Bible implies that the through the blood of Jesus Christ, all sins are forgiven. Therefore, while taking the blood of Jesus Christ, we become part of the covenant Jesus had with God, “the forgiveness of our sins.” Christians pray for forgiveness to receive eternal life in the Kingdom of God through Jesus Christ.
The Priest then prays for the bread and wine at the altar as Jesus did in the last supper. The Bible implies that Jesus broke the bread and shared it with his disciples. It also implies he then lifted the cup, gave thanks to God, and shared it with his disciples. The Priest does the same while narrating the words of Jesus from the Bible. Christians then receive the Sanctified bread and wine and give thanks to God.
Is Jesus really present in the Eucharist?
Jesus is symbolically present in the Eucharist. According to John 6:48-56, the Bible implies that Jesus said that he is the bread of life. He said that he is not like the manner Israelites ate during the wilderness. He told the Jews that he is the bread from heaven and anyone who eats that bread shall not die but live forever. This was before Jesus celebrated the last supper with his disciples. During the last supper, He said that the bread they took was his body, and the wine they drank was his blood.
Jesus said that the blood drunk during the Eucharist is the blood poured on the cross during his crucifixion. He said the blood was part of a covenant he had with God for all sins to be forgiven. Therefore his body and blood in the Eucharist symbolize his sacrifice for the salvation of human beings. When Jesus told the Jews that he was the living bread, he meant Christians receive everlasting life through him. Therefore, the presence of Jesus in the Eucharist means that those who take the Eucharist are forgiven ad will receive eternal life.
How is Jesus present in the Eucharist?
Jesus is uniquely present in the Eucharist because he is present in body, blood, soul, and divinity. The real presence of Jesus is in the Eucharist.
Matthew 26:26-28 reads, “While they were eating, Jesus took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and giving it to his disciples said, ‘Take and eat; this is my body.’ Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, ‘Drink from it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which will be shed on behalf of many for the forgiveness of sins.” Jesus said that he is the body is the bread broken during the Eucharist and his blood is the wine taken during the Eucharist. This shows his body’s and blood’s presence in the Eucharist.
John 6:56 reads, “Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him.” Jesus shows that his soul and divinity are in the Eucharist when he says he will be spiritually united with those who take the Eucharist. Jesus means the bread and wine taken during the Eucharist when he said flesh and wine. Therefore, Jesus shows His real presence in the bread and blood taken during the Eucharist.
What does it mean to “host” Jesus in the Eucharist?
To host Jesus in the Eucharist means to understand and believe in the real presence of Jesus Christ. When we believe that Jesus is present in the Eucharist, we respect the Eucharist like Jesus would like us. We prepare our minds and spirit to receive Jesus so we can be united in Him and Him in us.
Before taking the Eucharist, we should pray that God forgives us our sins so that we can be righteous before receiving the body and blood of Jesus Christ. This will enable us to host Jesus in a clean temple of God. Hosting Jesus in the Eucharist also means believing that the bread and wine we take during the Holy Communion are the body and blood of Jesus Christ. Jesus is the living bread, and His blood was poured for the forgiveness of our sins. Therefore when we celebrate the Eucharist, we have faith that we shall live after death because Jesus defeated death and is preparing the Kingdom of God for us.
References
Understanding the Real Presence of Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist
What does it mean to “host” Jesus in the Eucharist?
As a devout Christian, I have always been passionate about the Christian faith. This inspired me to pursue a degree in Religious studies and a Masters in Theology in college. I have also been privileged to teach 4 Christian courses in a college and university. Since I am dedicated to spreading the word of God, I am actively involved in the Church. Additionally, I share his word online and cover diverse topics on the Christian faith through my platform. You can read more about me on the about us page.
